Sleep is essential to the mind and body. While you're asleep, your body goes through a natural restorative process in which it replenishes vital organs and muscles, revitalizes the immune system, and balances hormones. It is recommended that the average person gets at least 7-9 hours of rest each night for optimal mind and body function. 

Unfortunately, however, millions of people report getting far less sleep. This lack of sleep stems from a number of personal and medical problems ranging from having a newborn or being stressed to suffering from chronic pain or mental illness. Going prolonged periods of time without sleep is said to drain your energy, impair your cognitive abilities, weaken your immune system, deplete muscle mass, and exacerbate symptoms of mental illnesses like anxiety or depression. 

While there are a number of factors that could be contributing to a person's inability to get sleep, an uncomfortable sleep environment is at the top of the list. In order to get a good night's rest, one must have a designated space where they can get comfortable and fall into a deep sleep. Here are some suggestions on how to improve your sleep environment for better rest. 

Get Rid of the Clutter

When you have a bunch of things scattered around your room, getting to sleep can be difficult. A cluttered space can essentially lead to a cluttered mind causing you to have anxiety instead of being at ease. To calm those nerves and the mind you'll need to get rid of the clutter. Spend a day removing unnecessary items from your bedroom and organizing the things that belong so that everything has a place. 

Invest in a New Mattress

If you've had your mattress for more than ten years, or simply find it to be uncomfortable to go to sleep on maybe it's time to invest in a new one. Head to a nearby mattress store to get an idea of the type of mattress that best suits your sleeping patterns while also fitting your budget. 

Comfortable Bedding

The proper bedding on your new or existing mattress can make getting to sleep a lot easier. If you have old sheets and blankets, a few new bedding sets can make a big difference. Having a warm blanket and high-quality sheets reduces the chances of your sleep being disturbed because you're itching, uncomfortable, too hot, or too cold. The right style and color bedding set can even give your bedroom a facelift as well. 

Proper Pillows

Lots of people report not being able to get enough sleep as a result of horrible neck and back pains they experience. This can often be attributed to poor sleep posture. When you don't have enough neck and back support from your pillows, you risk turning the wrong way and causing some serious pain and damage. If you've had your pillows for a while or find that you're always waking up with pains in your back or neck, you may want to do purchase some new pillows. 

Darkening Curtains, Blinds, or Shades

Too much light coming into your bedroom can keep you up late. Whether you tend to get your rest during the day or at night, having the appropriate window treatments can create a more comfortable sleep environment. Installing darkening curtains, window blinds, or shades allow you to control the amount of light that shines into your room when you're trying to rest. 

Keep the Room Cool

Have you ever tried to get a good night's sleep in the middle of summer? The heat keeps you tossing and turning for hours. This is because when your body enters rest, it naturally cools down to make it more comfortable to sleep. The right temperature, therefore, is necessary for a comfortable sleep environment. You may want to install a programmable thermostat so that the temperatures in the home automatically drop to 60-65 degrees just before bed. If that doesn't work, you can also install a ceiling fan to help cool things down or to get the heat circulating better in your room (if it's too cold). 

From stress and parenting to chronic pain and mental illness, there are a number of underlying causes for sleeplessness and sleep disorders in the US and around the globe. Though there are several approaches that can be taken to help improve a person's quality of sleep, creating an ideal sleep environment is at the top of the list. Use the above-mentioned tips to transform your bedroom into an oasis you can't wait to retreat to at the end of the day for a good night's rest.